Half A Million New Yorkers Covered Under Extension Of Paid Sick Leave Law

WCBS 880's Monica Miller Reports

Workers at businesses with five or more employees who are hired to work more than 80 hours a calendar year will now be able to accrue up to five paid sick days per year under the new provision.

“This is about providing a benefit if you are sick and you cannot work or if your child is sick and you need to tend to their needs,” said the council speaker. “This is a right people have. They shouldn’t feel threatened that they’re going to lose their job or be admonished by their employer.”

Workers like Charles applauded the measure because no one is immune to getting sick.

“Especially in the winter time, and this was a cold winter that just passed. Kids were sick, parents got sick sometimes and the rent is high out here, so you can’t afford to lose a day’s pay,” he told Miller.